Module 1 Revision

The order of these revision notes is that of the syllabus.  The notes I have written are in the order of the scheme of work we teach at St Mary's.  Therefore there will be discrepancies in the order.

The Heathcote I refer to is the First Edition. 

The hyperlinks worked when I prepared these notes.  However some good sites can go off-line, which is obviously completely out of my control.

How to Use these Notes:

·       Read the Topic Notes.  You may also wish to look up the relevant sections in Heathcote.

·       Use the websites suggested.  The questions are generally relevant to the website. 

·       Attempt  past paper questions at the end of each section. 

·       At the end of each section, sum up the key points in the form that will help you most, e.g. Concept map, bullet points, pictures, or whatever.

 

Knowledge, Information and Data

You are expected to understand:

Read Topic 4 on this site

Refer to Heathcote Chapter 8.  Go to http://www.pcwebopaedia.com/TERM/d/data.html

 

  1. What is data?
  1. Write down three ways in which it can exist.
  1. What is the difference between data and information?
  1. What is meant by knowledge?

Now go to http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/T/transaction_processing.html

  1. What is meant by a transaction?

Now go to http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/G/garbage_in_garbage_out.html

  1. What is meant by GIGO?  Explain how it can affect decisions made in an organisation.

Now go to http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/D/decision_support_system.html

  1. Read the definition of decision support system.
  1. Use your understanding of Data, Information and Knowledge to describe how such a system might work.

 

http://www.surveysolutions.co.uk

This site is of a company that does data capture and encoding for commercial organisations.

http://www.readsoft.com/

This company produces data capture software.

http://www.geocities.com/fatmax_uk2/

Excellent site with all sorts of links on this topic that you may find useful.

 

Value and Importance of Information

You are expected to:

Read Heathcote Chapter 9.  Read Topic 4 on this site

Go to http://www.geocities.com/fatmax_uk2/ICT1/Value.ppt

Text Box: Information is as valuable to an organisation as people.  Why is this? Write down three things that make information useful. What do computers do to information. Write down three things that information must be. How is information collected indirectly? How does your name and address end up on junk mail? Write down four ways in which an organisation benefits from ICT. Write down four drawbacks of ICT

 

This is a short PowerPoint demonstration based on Heathcote Chapter 9.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Control of Information

You are expected to:

Read Topic 4 on this site

Read Heathcote p55, and pp 60 – 62.  Go to http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/eventual.aspx?pg=SR&cID=6786

  1. What the eight principles of data protection legislation?
  1. What is meant by personal data?

 

 

Capabilities and Limitations of ICT

You are expected to:

Read Heathcote Chapters 21 and 22.  Read Topic 4 on this site

Go to http://www.geocities.com/fatmax_uk2/ICT1/limits.doc

1.      Why can a computer be more accurate than a human employee?

2.      Why is speed important when handling small amounts of data in a critical control system?

3.      What benefit to an organisation is the processing ability of a computer?

4.      How does a computer improve access to data?

5.      What is meant by feedback?

6.      Write down what limitations there are to a computer system.

 

Go to http://www.geocities.com/fatmax_uk2/

There are two other PowerPoint demonstrations from Alcester Grammar School and Billericay School.

 

Text Box: The Social Impact of ICT You are expected to: Explain the benefits and drawbacks of the use of information and communication technology in manufacturing, industry, commerce, medicine, the home, education and teleworking.    

 

 

 

 

 

Read Topic 2 on this site

Go to http://www.geocities.com/fatmax_uk2/ 

Look at ICT in Education.

  1. Why is the record in schools not very good?
  1. Write down four benefits to schools.
  1. Why might it be a good idea for a computer to replace a teacher?
  1. What disadvantage is there for a computer replacing a teacher?
  1. Make notes on the three useful applications for computers at school.

Now go to http://www.geocities.com/fatmax_uk2/ICT1/ICTinCaringSoc.doc You will also find the PowerPoint demonstration ICT in a Caring Society helpful.

  1. Read the notes carefully.
  1. How are computers used in medicine?
  1. How can a disabled person benefit from a computer?

Now go the PowerPoint demonstration on ICT in Business and Commerce.

Text Box: How is business changing shape? How are careers affected by ICT? Assess the benefits and drawbacks of trading on the internet. How does ICT help a person to set up a small business?

 

 

 

 

Some good links can be found at http://www.alcester.net/ags/links/Information_Technology/AS/IT01/5_Social_Impact/

 Have a go at the questions at the bottom of the http://www.geocities.com/fatmax_uk2/

Web page on Social Impact of ICT.

 

Text Box: Role of Communication Systems You are expected to: Explain the use of global communications between single or multiple sources and recipients, including public networks such as the Internet. Describe the hardware, software and services required to access the Internet. Describe the facilities offered and the relative merits of: telephone, fax, e-mail, teleconferencing, viewdata, teletext, remote databases and other relevant communication systems. Explain the use of the Internet for a range of activities including communication, information searching and information publication. Candidates should be aware of the recent developments in the area of communication systems.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read Heathcote Chapter 6. Read Topic 3 on this site

Go to http://www.geocities.com/fatmax_uk2/

Go to Communications Systems.  Look at the PowerPoint based on Heathcote Chapter 6.  You will also find Internet and Communications, notes by David Yates, useful.  There is a PowerPoint version of these as well.

  1. What ways do businesses use to communicate?
  1. Write down four different communication systems.
  1. The Internet is growing at a phenomenal rate.  What problems can arise?
  1. What is meant by the World Wide Web?
  1. What are the two types of On-Line Services?  What do they provide?
  1. What is a bulletin board?  How is it used and abused?
  1. Describe how an Intranet is used.
  1. Write down four advantages of using e-mail.
  1. What hardware and software are needed to access the Internet?
  1. How are facsimile machines used in businesses?  What are the advantages and disadvantages of using fax machines?
  1. What is voice-mail?
  1. How would you go about setting up a teleconference?

 

 

Information and the Professional

You are expected to:

 

Read Heathcote pages 42 – 48.  Read Topic 6 on this site

 

Go to http://www.geocities.com/fatmax_uk2/

 

Go to Information and the Professional.  Go to the PowerPoint demonstration.

Text Box: Write down four qualities that a computer professional should have. What is expected of a professional according to the ACM code of conduct? What is the golden rule of making ethical decisions? What other things should you consider when making an ethical decision.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

Information Systems Malpractice and Crime

You are expected to:

Read Topic 4 on this site

Go to http://www.geocities.com/fatmax_uk2/                                            

Select David Yates’ Notes.  These notes are also relevant to the next section.

  1. What is hacking?
  1. Give one example of hacking, and what a hacker can do.
  1. How can money be stolen?
  1. What harm can happen if data is stolen?  Why are businesses reluctant to report this?
  1. How can viruses spread?
  1. What is the difference between a virus and a logic bomb?
  1. Write down three different kinds of licence that you should have to run software.
  1. How do software companies try to prevent piracy?  Do they succeed?
  1. Some people think that piracy does no one any harm.  Are they right?

 

Now go on to Computer Crime 2 a short PowerPoint demonstration based on Heathcote.

Text Box: What is the difference between computer abuse and computer crime? Write down how criminals use the Internet? Why might some people choose to hack? How is a credit card used fraudulently? How can data be stolen? How can you protect yourself against Internet Fraud? Describe how computers can be used in the fight against crime.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The website http://www.fast.org.uk/ tells you more about prevention of piracy.

There are some interesting links on the Alcester Grammar School site, http://www.alcester.net/ags/links/Information_Technology/AS/IT01/8_Malpractice_and_Crime/

 

Legal Framework

You are expected to:

Software and Data Misuse.

Data protection legislation

 Read Topic 5 on this site

Read Heathcote Chapters 12 and 14.  Go to:

http://safety.ngfl.gov.uk/ukonline/document.php3?D=d10

for details about the Computer Misuse Act.

  1. What is covered by the Computer Misuse Act 1990?
  1. What would you do to commit an offence under the Copyright, Patents, and Design Act 1988?

 

 

Currently there is legislation going through Parliament called the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIP Act).   Look at http://www.geocities.com/fatmax_uk2/ and David Yates’ notes on this.  You won’t find anything in Heathcote about this.  It is not on the syllabus, but you may well be interested in it.

Go to the PowerPoint Presentation about the Data Protection

  1. Why has the development of databases appeared to be a threat to privacy?
  1. What do the data protection acts cover
  1. How does the DPA 1998 compare to the DPA 1984?
  1. What are the duties of the Information Commissioner (formerly the Registrar)?
  1. Write down the principles of the DPA and learn them.
  1. What is personal data?
  1. What is a data controller?  What must they do to comply with the act?
  1. What are the rights of data subjects?

You will find the Presentation at

http://www.ashfordman.org/ict/Alevel/51/516/ppoint/516_files/frame.htm very useful as well.

 For fullest details of the DPA, go to http://www.dataprotection.gov.uk/  This will take you to the Information Commissioner's Site.

 

Health and safety

You are expected to:

Read Chapter 15 in Heathcote.   Read Topic 5 on this site

Go to http://www.geocities.com/fatmax_uk2/ and read David Yates’ notes.  You might well find some of the links very interesting to follow through.  You may find the related PowerPoint helpful.

Text Box: What are the health hazards associated with computers? What are the responsibilities of employers, employees, and manufacturers? Describe what an ideal computer office should have. Write down the features that good workstations should have.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You may find the related PowerPoint helpful.

  1. Why are humans the weakest link?
  1. Write down three ways in which stress can arise.
  1. Other than rapid typing, what can cause RSI?
  1. How can eyestrain be dealt with?
  1. What are the risks of  using mobile telephones?

You might care to look at http://www.hse.gov.uk/ the website of the Health and Safety Executive.

 

 

Text Box: Remember: Read the question carefully.  Answer the question. Do not put in unconsidered supplementary material (waffle). If there are four marks to be had for two answers, you will need to make two points for each answer.  Usually an answer and an explanation. All examples you quote should be relevant to ICT and its use in organisations, unless specifically asked for in the question. You must NOT quote trade names.  So if your answer is based on Access, you need to write database management system.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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